Pre-doffing disinfection systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided which project germicidal light from a lamp toward an individual donned in outerwear to disinfect the outerwear. In specific embodiments, germicidal light is projected toward an individual situated greater than approximately 1 foot from the light source. Some systems include sensor/s for detecting presence of an individual within a target area a set distance from the disinfection apparatus comprising the light source and program instructions for commencing operation of the disinfection apparatus based on information from the sensor/s. In addition or alternatively, some systems include reflective panel/s exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance. In such cases, the systems may include program instructions for determining operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus and/or positions of the reflective panel/s based on information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/506,322 filed Jul. 9, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/486,373 filed Apr. 13, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,391,189 which is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/US2015/055784 filed Oct. 15, 2015, which designates the UnitedStates and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/064,071, filed Oct. 15, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to disinfection systems and methodsand, more specifically to, disinfection systems and methods forpre-doffing applications.

2. Description of the Related Art

The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior artby virtue of their inclusion within this section.

Currently, healthcare workers (HCWs) must don personal protectiveequipment (PPE) to provide care to infectious or potentially infectiousindividuals or to clean areas occupied or previously occupied byinfectious or potentially infectious individuals. The infectiousindividuals generally include patients diagnosed with a specificpathogen, such as the Ebola virus. The potentially infectiousindividuals generally include patients suspected of having been infectedwith a particular pathogen (e.g., some of these patients may be awaitingdiagnostic testing regarding the particular pathogen). The purpose ofPPE is to keep bodily fluids, patient contact, airborne pathogens and/orcontact with surfaces in the patient care environment from infectingHCWs. PPE is generally needed for any activities that may put a HCW intocontact with an infected patient, a potentially infectious patientand/or potentially contaminated environments and equipment, such as butnot limited to the delivery of food and medication, medical procedures,patient examinations and the cleaning of patient environments.

The doffing, or removal, of PPE is a complex process that requirestraining and practice. When PPE is removed, the HCW must take specialcare to assure that his or her hands or other parts of the body do notcome into contact with the exterior surfaces of the PPE. This isespecially difficult as PPE must often be turned inside out and disposedof during the doffing process. Many protocols insist that a secondperson, also in PPE observe the doffing process and be certain thatprotocols are followed. In many circumstances, HCWs do not haveexperience with PPE and there is a risk of an error in the doffingprocess that could lead to the infection of an HCW. There have beendocumented cases of Ebola transmission due to errors occurring duringthe doffing process, for example.

In some cases, the exterior of PPE is sprayed with a liquid disinfectant(such as a chlorine based solution) to provide extra assurance duringthe doffing process. This is often done in facilities dedicated to thecare of highly infective patients and/or laboratories conductingdiagnostic or experimental testing of particular infectious pathogens.Spraying with liquid disinfectants, however, is not specified in manyprotocols, such as many acute care hospital PPE guidelines. As such,standard hospitals often do not have the capacity to spray HCWs eachtime they doff PPE due to issues in creating infrastructure where theliquid disinfectant can drain and can be contained if a drain isblocked. Additionally, spraying is only appropriate when the PPE iswaterproof, chemical resistant and there is no exposed skin. Inparticular, some PPE may absorb or disintegrate by contact with liquiddisinfectants, damaging the integrity of the PPE and potentiallyexposing areas of the HCW to the liquid disinfectant and/or to pathogenstransmitted from the exterior of the PPE. Furthermore, some types of PPEleave areas of skin exposed. In such cases, the liquid disinfectantcould undesirably contact the exposed skin. Moreover, spraying PPE witha liquid disinfectant could pose an inhalation risk to the HCW.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to develop alternative methods andsystems which decrease the pathogenic contamination levels of PPE priorto doffing PPE.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following description of various embodiments of apparatuses is notto be construed in any way as limiting the subject matter of theappended claims.

Systems and methods are provided which disinfect PPE or other types ofouterwear and/or clothing with germicidal light while it is worn by anindividual.

Embodiments of a method include generating ultraviolet electromagneticradiation subtype C (UVC) light via an ultraviolet light source andprojecting the UVC light toward an individual situated greater thanapproximately 1 foot from the ultraviolet light source.

Other embodiments of a method include generating germicidal light via alamp and projecting the germicidal light toward an individual, whereinthe individual is donned in clothing and/or personal protectiveequipment such that no skin of the individual is exposed to the lamp.

Embodiments of systems include a disinfection apparatus having one ormore UVC light sources, wherein the disinfection apparatus is configuredsuch that when the disinfection apparatus is arranged and operational ina room UVC light generated from the one or more UVC light sources isemitted to a region between approximately 2 feet and approximately 4feet from a floor of the room. The system further includes one or moresensors for detecting presence of an individual within a target area aset distance from the disinfection apparatus. Furthermore, the systemincludes a storage medium comprising program instructions which areexecutable by a processor for commencing operation of the disinfectionapparatus to generate and project UVC light exterior to the disinfectionapparatus upon the one or more sensors detecting presence of anindividual in the target area.

Other embodiments of systems include a disinfection apparatus having oneor more germicidal light sources. The systems further include one ormore reflective panels exhibiting greater than approximately 85%reflectance and a storage medium comprising program instructionsexecutable by a processor for determining operating parameters of thedisinfection apparatus and/or positions of the one or more moveablereflective panels based on information regarding an individual who is inthe presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be inthe presence of the disinfection apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed description and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example system forperforming a pre-doffing disinfection process;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flowchart of processes that may beconducted by the system depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a room layout for performing apre-doffing disinfection process;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pre-doffing system being used by anindividual; and

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a room layout for performing apre-doffing process.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Systems and methods are provided which disinfect personal protectiveequipment (PPE) or other types of outerwear and/or clothing withgermicidal light while it is worn by an individual. The systems andmethods reduce the risk of an individual being infected by pathogens. Ingeneral, the individual may be any person which, while wearing the PPEor other types of outerwear and/or clothing, provided care to aninfectious or potentially infectious individual, came into contact orwas in the same room/environment with an infectious or potentiallyinfectious individual, and/or cleaned an environment in which aninfectious or potentially infectious individual resided. Examples ofindividuals include but are not limited to doctors, nurses andhousekeeping personnel, all of which may be referred to herein ashealthcare workers (HCWs). The methods and systems described herein mayalso be employed on non-HCWs, such as but not limited to family membersand friends, emergency responders, and administrative personnel of ahealthcare facility. In any case, the systems and methods may beemployed prior to a doffing process to remove the PPE, outerwear orclothing and, thus, the systems and methods described herein may bereferred to as pre-doffing methods and systems.

In general, the PPE, outerwear and/or clothing worn by an individual forthe methods described herein may include any wear of an individual thathas come into contact or was in the same room/environment with aninfectious or potentially infectious individual. The term “clothing” asused herein refers to any covering that an individual may wear to coverat least a portion of their body. Examples of clothing include but arenot limited to pants, shirts, coats, gloves, shoes, and hats. The term“outerwear” as used herein refers to any covering that an individual mayover another piece of clothing, such as a coat. The term “PPE” as usedherein refers to devices, equipment, gear, outerwear and/or clothingspecifically designed to protect an individual's body from a hazard. Thehazard may be physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards,airborne particulate matter or any combination thereof. Examples of PPEinclude but are not limited to gloves, eye protection, shoes, shoecovers, caps, hoods, face masks, respirators, coveralls, vests, gownsand/or full body suits. PPE worn by an individual for the methodsdescribed herein may vary depending on protocols, particularly for givenpathogens and/or regarding governing bodies imparting such protocols.Non-PPE types of outerwear and/or clothing which may be worn by anindividual for the methods described herein may include any wear that aHCW may wear during activities of taking care of a patient or wear thatmay be worn by a non-HCW, such as but not limited to scrubs, lab coats,uniforms, shoes, and ordinary clothing.

As set forth in more detail below, it may be important in someembodiments for an individual to be donned with clothing and/or PPE suchthat no skin is exposed to the lamp generating the germicidal light usedto disinfect the clothing and/or PPE. In particular, some of the methodsand systems described herein may generate and project ultraviolet (UV)light toward the individual. UV light is a known health hazard to eyesand skin and, thus, it may be prudent (as a safety precaution) or it maybe required (due to exposure regulations) for an individual to be donnedwith clothing and/or PPE such that no skin is exposed to a lampgenerating UV light during the disinfection process. In some cases, anindividual may be donned in PPE with no skin exposure due to theprotocol required for the activity performed by the individual who comesinto contact or was in the same room/environment with an infectious orpotentially infectious individual. In other cases, an individual may bedonned in PPE and/or clothing which does not cover the entire body. Insuch cases, it may be desirable for the individual to put on additionalclothing and/or PPE such that there is no skin exposure for thedisinfection process.

As set forth below, eye protection and face mask PPE used for themethods described herein are preferably configured to block germicidallight, particularly UV light and more particularly UVC light. As afurther precaution, the methods described herein may have the individualkeep his/her eyes closed during the disinfection process to minimize therisk of exposure to the face and eyes. In yet other cases, an individualmay not need to have all skin covered during the disinfection process.In particular, and as further set forth below, the germicidal lightconsidered for the methods and systems described herein may includeultraviolet light and/or high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS) light. Incases in which the germicidal lamp does not generate UV light over setexposure limits (e.g., the criteria of occupational exposure toultraviolet radiation recommended by the Center for Disease Preventionand Control) or does not generate UV light at all (i.e., generates onlyHINS light), full skin coverage of the individual may not be necessaryfor the disinfection process.

The terms “germicidal light source” and “germicidal lamp” are usedinterchangeably herein and refer to a collection of one or morecomponents used to generate and disperse germicidal light. The term“germicidal light” refers to light which is capable of deactivating orkilling microorganisms, particularly disease carrying and/or diseaseproducing microorganisms (a.k.a., germs). The term “germicide” as usedherein refers to an agent for deactivating or killing microorganisms,particularly disease carrying and/or disease producing microorganisms(a.k.a., germs). The term “kill,” as used herein, means to cause thedeath of an organism. The term “deactivate,” as used herein, means torender an organism unable to reproduce without killing. As such, agermicide which is configured to deactivate a microorganism refers to anagent which renders a microorganism unable to reproduce but leaves theorganism alive.

Ranges of light which are known to be germicidal include ultravioletlight between approximately 200 nm and approximately 320 nm,particularly 205 nm, 230 nm and between 260 nm and 265 nm, and visibleviolet-blue light (also known as high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS)light) between approximately 400 nm and approximately 470 nm,particularly 405 nm. As used herein, UVA light is ultravioletelectromagnetic radiation subtype A with a wavelength between 320 nm to400 nm, UVB light is ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation subtype Bwith a wavelength between 280 nm to 320 nm, and UVC light is ultravioletelectromagnetic radiation subtype C (UVC) with a wavelength between 200nm to 280 nm. In some cases, the germicidal light sources considered forthe methods and systems described herein may be polychromatic in thatthey generate light of more than one wavelength. In some embodiments, agermicidal light source may generate ranges of light which are notgermicidal such as but not limited to visible light greater thanapproximately 500 nm, but such capability will not deter from thereference of the light sources being germicidal. Furthermore, a lightsource or lamp may, in some cases, be characterized in the type of lightit generates, but such characterization need not limit the light sourceor lamp to generating only that type of light. For example, anultraviolet lamp is one which generates ultraviolet light but it mayproduce light of other wavelengths. In any case, the germicidal lightsources considered for the disinfection apparatuses may be of any sizeand shape, depending on the design specifications of the apparatuses.

Examples of germicidal light sources which may be configured to generateultraviolet light and/or high-intensity narrow-spectrum (HINS) lightinclude discharge lamps, light emitting diode (LED) solid state devices,and excimer lasers. HINS lamps are generally constructed of LEDs. Adischarge lamp as used herein refers to a lamp that generates light bymeans of an internal electrical discharge between electrodes in a gas.The term encompasses gas-discharge lamps, which generate light bysending an electrical discharge through an ionized gas (i.e., a plasma).The term also encompasses surface-discharge lamps, which generate lightby sending an electrical discharge along a surface of a dielectricsubstrate in the presence of a gas, producing a plasma along thesubstrate's surface. As such, the germicidal lamps which may beconsidered for the methods and systems described herein includegas-discharge lamps as well as surface-discharge lamps. Discharge lampsmay be further characterized by the type of gas/es employed and thepressure at which they are operated. The discharge lamps which may beconsidered for the methods and systems described herein include those oflow pressure, medium pressure and high intensity. In addition, thegas/es employed may include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon,nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, mercury vapor,sodium vapor and any combination thereof. In addition, the germicidallight sources considered for the methods and systems described hereinmay include those which generate continuous light and/or those whichgenerate light in recurrent short durations, the latter of which arereferred to herein as pulsed light sources. Discharge lamps whichproduce recurrent pulses of light are often referred to as flashtubes orflashlamps.

A commonly used gas-discharge lamp used to produce continuous light is amercury-vapor lamp, which may be considered for some of the methods andsystems described herein. It emits a strong peak of light at 253.7 nm,which is considered particularly applicable for germicidal disinfectionand, thus, is commonly referenced for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation(UVGI). A commonly used flashlamp which may be considered for themethods and systems described herein is a xenon flashtube. In contrastto a mercury-vapor lamp, a xenon flashtube generates a broad spectrum oflight from ultraviolet to infrared and, thus, provides ultraviolet lightin the entire spectrum known to the germicidal (i.e., betweenapproximately 200 nm and approximately 320 nm). In addition, a xenonflashtube can provide relatively sufficient intensity in the spectrumwhich is known to be optimally germicidal (i.e., between approximately260 nm and approximately 265 nm). Moreover, a xenon flashtube generatesan extreme amount of heat, which can further contribute to thedeactivation and killing of microorganisms.

Although they are not readily available on the commercial market todate, a surface-discharge lamp may be considered for some of the methodsand systems described herein as noted above. Similar to a xenonflashtube, a surface-discharge lamp produces ultraviolet light in theentire spectrum known to the germicidal (i.e., between approximately 200nm and approximately 320 nm). In contrast, however, surface-dischargelamps operate at higher energy levels per pulse and, thus, greater UVefficiency, as well as offer longer lamp life as compared to xenonflashtubes. It is noted that the aforementioned descriptions andcomparisons of a mercury-vapor lamp, a xenon flashlamp, and a surfacedischarge lamp in no way restrict the methods and systems describedherein to include such lamps. Rather, the aforementioned descriptionsand comparisons are merely provided to offer factors which one skilledin the art may contemplate when selecting a germicidal light source formethods and systems described herein.

As noted above, in some cases, the germicidal light source may be anexcimer laser and, thus, the germicidal light used to disinfect PPEand/or clothing of an individual may be a narrow beam of light set todisinfect a specific location on the PPE and/or clothing. In such cases,a disinfection apparatus comprising the laser may be configured to movethe laser such that multiple or all locations on the PPE and/or clothingare disinfected. Alternatively, a disinfection apparatus may beconfigured to distribute germicidal light into an ambient of a room in aspacious manner such that at least the portions of an individual in thevicinity of the disinfection apparatus may be simultaneouslydisinfected. The disinfection apparatus may be of any shape, size, orconfiguration in which to achieve such an objective.

In some cases, a disinfection apparatus may be configured to onlydisperse light in the general direction of an individual (such as withina few feet on either side of a target location/area for an individual tobe situated). In other embodiments, however, the disinfection apparatusmay be configured to disperse a wider span of light and, in some cases,may be configured to distribute germicidal light to a continuous ringregion around the apparatus. In particular, an apparatus may in somecases be void of an opaque component 360° around an elongated portion ofthe germicidal light source such that light emitted from the germicidallight source encircles the apparatus. Wider spans of light may beadvantageous for embodiments in which reflector walls or panels arearranged behind the disinfection apparatus (i.e., the side of thedisinfection apparatus not facing the individual being exposed to thegermicidal light) as described in more detail below. Alternatively,wider spans of light may be advantageous for disinfecting multipleindividuals during the same disinfection process. In particular, adisinfection apparatus that disperses a relatively wide span ofgermicidal light could be used for a pre-doffing disinfection process ofmultiple individuals that area spaced apart and are in light of sight ofthe light source/s of the disinfection apparatus.

In any case, the disinfection apparatus used in the methods and systemsdescribed herein may generally include one or more germicidal lightsources, depending on the design specifications of the apparatus. Asnoted above, terms “germicidal light source” and “germicidal lamp” areused interchangeably herein and refer to a collection of one or morecomponents used to generate and disperse germicidal light. In somecases, a disinfection apparatus may include components in addition to alight source to effect the generation or dispersal of the germicidallight from the light source, such as reflectors, particularly whichexhibit a relatively high degree of reflectivity (e.g., greater thanapproximately 85%). Regardless of the number of germicidal light sourcescomprising a disinfection apparatus or whether it is equipped withadditional components to aid in the dispersal of the germicidal light,the disinfection apparatuses described herein may include othergermicidal means, such as but not limited to chemical sprays, fogs orvapors, to aid in the pre-doffing disinfection process.

In some cases, it may be advantageous for the methods and systemsdisclosed herein to utilize disinfection apparatuses which areconfigured to direct germicidal light to a region approximately 2 feetand approximately 4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatusis arranged. In particular, such a configuration may be advantageoussince the noted region will generally contain a mid-portion of anindividual. In addition, the region between approximately 2 feet andapproximately 4 feet from a floor of a room is considered a “high touch”region of a room since objects of frequent use are generally placed insuch a region. Thus, a disinfection apparatus configured to direct lightto such a region may be suited for room disinfection processes inaddition to pre-doffing processes, which would be advantageous forenvironments in which both types processes are employed, such as in ahospital for example.

Examples of disinfection apparatuses configured to direct germicidallight to a region approximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from afloor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged are disclosed in U.S.application Ser. No. 13/706,926 filed Dec. 6, 2012 and Ser. No.13/708,208 filed Dec. 7, 2012 as well as International Application No.PCT/US2014/059698 filed Oct. 8, 2014, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference as if set forth fully herein. It is noted that afeature which often is in included in apparatuses configured for roomdisinfection and having UV light sources is an occupancy sensor,particularly such that the generation of UV light may be inhibitedand/or terminated upon making a detection which is indicative ofoccupancy within the area/room in which the apparatus is arranged. Inorder to accommodate a disinfection apparatus for both room disinfectionprocesses and pre-doffing processes, the disinfection apparatusesconsidered herein may in some embodiments include a switch to activateand deactivate an occupancy sensor.

In yet other embodiments, an occupancy sensor of a disinfectionapparatus may be used in a different manner for a pre-doffing process ascompared to a room disinfection process. In particular and as set forthin more detail below, the systems described herein may, in someembodiments, include one or more sensors for detecting an individual ina room in which the disinfection apparatus, particularly within a targetarea a set distance from the disinfection apparatus and upon detection,activating the disinfection apparatus to generate and project germicidallight and/or move itself within the room to affect a specified distancefrom the individual donned in potentially contaminated PPE and/orclothing. In yet further embodiments, the disinfection apparatus may beadditionally or alternatively configured to determine and/or alter itsoperational parameters based on a determined location/distance of theindividual relative to the disinfection apparatus.

Further to utilizing disinfection sources which are configured to directgermicidal light to a region approximately 2 feet and approximately 4feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus is arranged, it maybe advantageous in some embodiments to employ a disinfection apparatusin a position such that the germicidal lamp is arranged at an elevationapproximately 2 feet and approximately 4 feet from a floor of a room inwhich the apparatus is arranged. In doing so, the germicidal efficacy ofa pre-doffing process may be relatively consistent across a greatervertical portion of an individual (i.e., at least the side of anindividual facing the disinfection apparatus) than if a germicidal lampis positioned below or above such an elevation range. In particular,germicidal efficacy generally decreases with distance and, thus, forexample, if a germicidal light source is arranged at an elevation aboveor below an individual, germicidal efficacy of the light generatedtherefrom will vary more across a vertical portion of an individual.

In some cases, it may be advantageous for the methods and systemsdisclosed herein to utilize disinfection apparatuses which areconfigured to disperse germicidal light across a particular verticalregion. For example, it may be advantageous for the methods and systemsdisclosed herein to utilize disinfection apparatuses which areconfigured to disperse germicidal light between approximately 2 feet andapproximately 4 feet from a floor of a room in which the apparatus isarranged. In some cases, a disinfection apparatus may be configured todisperse germicidal light to a greater vertical range, such as from thefloor to approximately 4 feet above the floor or from the floor to atleast approximately 7 feet above the floor (the latter of which would beparticularly beneficial for disinfecting a size of an individual fromhead to toe). In some cases, the size and shape of the germicidal lightsource as well as its arrangement within the disinfection apparatus mayconstitute a particular vertical range of germicidal light dispersalwithin a room. For example, a germicidal light source arrangedlengthwise substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane of theapparatus may aid in achieving a particular vertical range of germicidallight dispersal within a room, depending on its length and its placementwithin the disinfection apparatus. In other embodiments, however,additional provisions may be employed to aid in achieving a desiredvertical dispersal of light within a room. For example, reflectors maybe used to aid in achieving greater vertical dispersal of germicidallight. Furthermore, some of disinfection apparatuses described hereinmay include an actuator for moving its germicidal light source withinthe apparatus (such as with respect to a support structure supportingthe light source) to aid in the vertical distribution of light.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of anexample system for performing a pre-doffing disinfection process,particularly system 10 include disinfection apparatus 12 with one ormore germicidal light sources, reflector panels 14, sensors 16, remoteuser interface 29 and storage medium 20 having components forcontrolling the operation of disinfection apparatus 12. In addition,FIG. 2 illustrates an example flowchart of processes that may beconducted by the system depicted in FIG. 1 . Moreover, FIGS. 3-5illustrate an example of a room layouts and areas for performing apre-doffing disinfection process. As will be set forth in more detailbelow, the systems and methods described herein are not limited to thedepictions in the drawings. Several other configurations of systems andmethods may be considered. Furthermore, it is noted that the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, disinfection apparatus 12 of system 10 depicted in FIG. 1may include any of the configurations noted above to the disinfectionapparatuses considered herein. Although system 10 is shown havingreflector panels 14, sensors 16, remote user interface 29 and storagemedium 20, any one or more of such components is optional for system 10.In particular, disinfection apparatus 12 may alone be employed for apre-doffing process of an individual. In particular, disinfectionapparatus 12 may include a power switch which an individual donned inPPE and/or clothing may activate to start the generation anddistribution of germicidal light from the disinfection apparatus. As setforth in more detail below, however, reflector panels 14, sensors 16,remote user interface 29 and storage medium 20 may individually orcollectively aid in enhancing the functionality and/or efficacy ofsystem 10 and, thus, one or more of such components may be included insystem 10.

For example, remote user interface 29 may enable the generation anddistribution of germicidal light by the disinfection apparatus to beactivated away from disinfection apparatus 12 such that the distancetraveled and/or the activities required by the individual donned inpotentially contaminated PPE and/or clothing may be minimized. Inparticular, remote user interface 29 may, in some embodiments, be aremote control device which may be used to activate disinfectionapparatus 12 outside of the room in which the apparatus is arranged. Insuch cases, a person other than the individual donned in potentiallycontaminated PPE and/or clothing may activate disinfection apparatus 12.In yet other embodiments, remote user interface 29 may be a remotecontrol device arranged within the room in which disinfection apparatus12 is arranged. In such cases, remote user interface 29 may be arrangedin a convenient location for an individual donned in PPE and/or clothingto activate the generation and distribution of germicidal light fromdisinfection apparatus 12. In other embodiments, remote user interface29 may be arranged in a region of the room which is shielded from lightgenerated by disinfection apparatus 12 and, thus, a person other thanthe individual donned in potentially contaminated PPE and/or clothingmay activate disinfection apparatus 12 via remote user interface 29. Asset forth below, remote user interface 29 may be used for other userinput and, thus, it is not necessarily limited to activatingdisinfection apparatus 12. As such, remote user interface 29 may becoupled to disinfection apparatus 12 and/or storage medium 20 (asdenoted by the dotted lines in FIG. 1 between such components),depending on the design specification of system 10.

As shown in FIG. 1 , storage medium 20 may include processor 22, programinstructions 24, user interface 26 and database 28. User interface 26and database 28 are optional components of storage medium 20 and, thus,may be omitted in some embodiments. In general, processor 22 iselectrically coupled to program instructions 24 such that the programinstructions may be executed by the processor and storage medium 20 iscoupled to disinfection apparatus 12 such that disinfection apparatus 12may be controlled in accordance with program instructions 24. In somecases, storage medium 20 may be part of disinfection apparatus 12, butin other embodiments storage medium 20 may be remote from disinfectionapparatus 12, including outside the room in which disinfection apparatus12 is arranged. The term “storage medium,” as used herein, refers to anyelectronic medium configured to hold one or more set of programinstructions, such as but not limited to a read-only memory, a randomaccess memory, a magnetic or optical disk, or magnetic tape. The term“program instructions,” as used herein, refers to commands withinsoftware which are configured to perform a particular function, such asbut not limited to any of the processes described in reference to FIG. 2. Program instructions 24 may be implemented in any of various ways,including procedure-based techniques, component-based techniques, and/orobject-oriented techniques, among others. Program instructions 24 may betransmitted over or on a carrier medium such as a wire, cable, orwireless transmission link.

Alternative to being activated by remote user interface 29 or userinterface 26, system 10 may be configured to determine if an individualis located in a target area a set distance from disinfection apparatus12 to affect the pre-doffing disinfection process. Alternatively, thedisinfection apparatus may be configured to move itself within the roomto affect a specified distance from the individual donned in potentiallycontaminated PPE and/or clothing. In yet further embodiments, thedisinfection apparatus may be additionally or alternatively configuredto determine and/or alter its operational parameters based oninformation regarding the individual donned in potentially contaminatedPPE and/or clothing, such as but not limited the determinedlocation/distance of the individual relative to the disinfectionapparatus. In any of such cases, the specified distance between thedisinfection apparatus and the individual may be any distance which doesnot compromise of the safety integrity of the contaminated PPE and/orclothing worn by the individual in the pre-doffing process. Inparticular, many types of germicidal light sources generate intenseamounts of heat and, thus, pose a risk of causing items too close to thebulb to melt or catch fire. In addition, in embodiments in whichdisinfection apparatus includes a UV light source, UV permeabilitythrough PPE and/or clothing may be a concern if they are in closeproximity to the bulb. Furthermore, the set distance may be any distancewhich is believed to affect sufficient germicidal efficacy for thepre-doffing process. An exemplary range of set distances considered forthe pre-doffing processes described herein is between approximately 1foot and approximately 3 meters, but shorter and longer distances may beemployed.

In any case, the configuration of system 10 to affect detection of anindividual in a room may be via sensor/s 16 and sensor/s 16 may includeone or more of any device known to affect detection. For example,sensor/s 16 may include a proximity sensor, a motion detection sensorand/or a photo recognition device. In some cases, one or more ofsensor/s 16 may be disposed on or within a support structure ofdisinfection apparatus 12. In addition or alternatively, sensor/s 16 maybe separate from disinfection apparatus 12 but are in communication withdisinfection apparatus 12. For example, in some cases, a weight sensormay be placed within a floor of a room at a location in which anindividual is to position themselves for the disinfection process orwithin a platform on which an individual is to position themselves forthe disinfection process. In such embodiments, the weight sensor may bein communication with the disinfection apparatus to start the generationand distribution of germicidal light and/or determine and/or alterparameters of the disinfection apparatus.

As described above, the systems and methods described herein may includereflectors for directing light to an individual donned in potentiallycontaminated PPE and/or clothing, particularly but not limited tooptimizing the vertical range of the light dispersal from thedisinfection apparatus. More specifically, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may include devices having at least a portion of itwhich is highly reflective to germicidal light, particularly ultravioletlight and/or visible violet-blue light. In particular, it may beadvantageous for at least a portion of the devices to include a materialwhich exhibits greater than 50% reflectance, or more specifically,greater than 85% reflectance. Examples of reflective materials which maybe employed include but are not limited to metalized nylon, Teflon,aluminum, reflective paint, biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate (boPET) (e.g., Mylar), and GORE® DRP® Diffuse ReflectorMaterial available from W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. In addition oralternative to being highly reflective, the devices may include avariety of other material characteristics (particularly on the sidefacing the disinfection apparatus), such as but not limited to beingantimicrobial and/or fire resistant.

In some embodiments, the reflectors may be incorporated within thedisinfection apparatus. In addition or alternatively, reflectorsindependent of the disinfection apparatus may be used in the methods andsystems described herein. For example, the systems and methods describedherein may include reflective walls or panels as shown for system 10 ofFIG. 1 . In general, the reflective walls or panels may be arranged atleast partially surrounding the disinfection apparatus and/or the regionat which the individual donned in potentially contaminated PPE and/orclothing is situated during the disinfection process. Examples ofpossible arrangements of reflective walls or panels for a pre-doffingprocess are shown in FIGS. 3-5 and described in more detail below. Anynumber and arrangement of walls or panels may be used for the systemsand methods described herein and, thus, the systems and methods shouldnot be limited to the depictions of FIGS. 3-5 .

In some cases, reflective walls or panels may be arranged to provide fordisinfection on all sides of the individual donned in potentiallycontaminated PPE and/or clothing and/or assure that the germicidal lightreaches the full body of the person (assuming a max height ofapproximately 7 feet). More specifically, reflective walls or panels maybe arranged to disperse the germicidal light to provide coverage fromthe floor to at least approximately seven feet and, in some cases, onall sides of the individual standing in a designated area. In otherwords, the reflectors would be designed to optimize the germicidal lightdose on a person standing a set distance from the germicidal lightsource (less than 3 kmeters) for a set amount of (such as 5 minutes orless). Such an arrangement may allow the individual to stay in one placeduring disinfection process without having to turn around. Furthermore,this arrangement would allow for thorough and reliable disinfection ofthe PPE and/or clothing while shortening the time of the disinfectionprocess, particularly less than 5 minutes in some cases.

In some cases, the methods and systems described herein may beconfigured to determine operating parameters of the disinfectionapparatus and/or positions of the one or more reflectors based oninformation regarding an individual who is in the presence of thedisinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of thedisinfection apparatus. In some cases, the information may be a positionof the individual relative to the disinfection apparatus as describedabove in regard to sensor/s 16. In other cases, the information mayadditionally or alternatively be a target microorganism suspected ofcontaminating the PPE or clothing worn by the individual. In yet otherembodiments, the information may additionally or alternatively be sizeinformation of the individual, such as but not limited to the height ofthe individual. As used herein, “operating parameters of thedisinfection apparatus” refers to any parameter which may affectoperation of a disinfection apparatus, including but not limited to runtime of a disinfection apparatus, position of a disinfection apparatus,orientation of components comprising a disinfection apparatus,germicidal dosing parameters for the disinfection apparatus, and/orpower supplied to a disinfection apparatus. In cases in which thedisinfection apparatus includes a pulsed germicidal light source, suchas a flashlamp for example, germicidal dosing parameters for thedisinfection apparatus may include pulse duration and/or pulse frequencyof the germicidal light source. Furthermore, in embodiments in which thegermicidal light source is a flashlamp, power supplied to the flashlampmay be referred to as “pulse intensity” or “intensity of the lamp”.

In some cases, the systems described herein may include a database andprogram instructions for retrieving size information from the databasein response to receiving input regarding an identity of the individual.In addition or alternatively, size or microorganism informationregarding the individual may be input into a user input interface(either a remote or not remote interface) of the system to affect thedetermination of operating parameters of the disinfection apparatusand/or the positions of one or more reflectors. In yet other cases, thesystems described herein may additionally or alternatively include oneor more sensors for determining size information and/or one or moresensors for determining a position of the individual relative to thedisinfection apparatus and such information may be retrieved from thesensors to affect the determination of operating parameters of thedisinfection apparatus and/or the positions of one or more reflectors.Any of the sensor types described above in reference to sensor/s 16 maybe used for determining size information or position of an individualand are not reiterated for the sake of brevity. Furthermore, thedepiction of sensor/s 16 in system 10 of FIG. 1 may refer to sensors foreither or both functionality.

In some cases, the systems described herein may be configured toautomatically move the reflectors of the system and/or automaticallyalter the operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus based oninformation regarding the individual who is in the presence of thedisinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of thedisinfection apparatus. In particular, the systems described herein mayinclude program instructions to affect alterations in operatingparameters and/or may include actuators for moving reflectors orcomponents of the disinfection apparatus or motorized wheels for movingthe disinfection apparatus itself. In some cases, it may be advantageousto limit the time it takes to modify operating parameters and/orpositions of reflectors while an individual is in the presence of thedisinfection apparatus and, thus, the set points to activate suchmodifications may be limited to just a few. For example, themodifications may be activated based on the height of the individualbeing closest to set points of 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet and 7 feet. Inother embodiments, set points of greater granularity may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flowchart of processes that may beconducted by the systems described herein, particularly the processesdescribed above in regard to FIG. 1 . In particular, as noted in block30 of FIG. 2 , the systems and methods described herein may includedetecting the presence of an individual within a target area a setdistance from a disinfection apparatus. In addition or alternatively,the systems and methods described herein may include determiningoperating parameters of the disinfection apparatus and/or positions ofthe one or more reflective panels based on information regarding anindividual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or whois scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus asdenoted in block 32. In some cases, the processes of blocks 30 and 32may be both performed for a pre-doffing process. In such embodiments,the processes of blocks 30 and 32 may be performed simultaneously or oneafter the other in either order. In any case, the results of either orboth blocks may cause the disinfection apparatus to generate and projectgermicidal light toward an individual spaced from the disinfectionapparatus as denoted in blocks 34 and 38. In some cases, the systems andmethods described herein may include monitoring and detecting whether anindividual is absent the target area or moves out of the target area asdenoted in block 38. In addition or alternatively, the systems andmethods described herein may include detecting whether the individualcomes within a predetermined safety threshold distance from thegermicidal light source of the disinfection apparatus. Upon detection ofany of such scenarios, the systems and methods described herein mayinclude terminating operation of the disinfection light source.

In any case, the systems described herein may, in some embodiments, beconfigured to project audio commands (i.e., have a speaker and programinstructions for sending signals for an audio command to be broadcasted)and/or display visual commands (i.e., include as screen and programinstructions for displaying text or pictorial information thereon) toinstruct an individual to position themselves to a target locationwithin the room prior to disinfection apparatus generating anddistributing germicidal light. In addition or alternatively, the systemsdescribed herein may be configured to instruct an individual (via audioor visual commands) when and/or in which direction to go after adisinfection process is complete. In some cases, the systems describedherein may be configured to instruct an individual (via audio or visualcommands) to make movements during a disinfection process, such as butnot limited to turning their entire body around, lifting and/or turningarms and/or hands, spreading fingers, etc. For example, the systemsdescribed herein may be configured to instruct an individual to turnaround at a mid-point of the disinfection process (e.g., 2.5 minutesinto a disinfection cycle). In yet other embodiments, the individualneed not move during the disinfection process.

In some embodiments, a pre-doffing process may include an individual,while wearing PPE and/or other types of outerwear and/or clothing,entering into an area or space designated for germicidal lightdisinfection. In general, the area or space in which the individualenters to have their PPE and/or clothing disinfected by germicidal lightmay be a room, a portion of a room or an enclosed space suitable forhuman occupancy having a separate entrance and exit. The phrase“suitable for human occupancy” as used herein refers to a space in whichan adult human being of average size may comfortably occupy for at leasta period of time to eat, sleep, work, lounge, partake in an activity, orcomplete a task therein. Examples of spaces which are suitable for humanoccupancy include but are not limited to single patient rooms, multipleoccupancy patient rooms, bathrooms, walk-in closets, hallways, bedrooms,offices, operating rooms, patient examination rooms, waiting and/orlounging areas and nursing stations. In some cases, spaces suitable forhuman occupancy may be a room in that they are bounded and include atleast one door for entering and exiting the room. In other cases, aspace suitable for human occupancy may be an area with indeterminateboundaries. As used herein, the term “enclosed space” refers to an areahaving its boundaries defined by barriers blocking a vast majority orall germicidal light transmission exterior to the area.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a room that may be used for apredoffing process. In particular, FIG. 3 shows room 40 withdisinfection apparatus 42 disposed within an area partially surroundedby reflector walls/panels 44. As further shown in FIG. 3 , room 40includes dual sliding doors 46, one designated for entrance into theroom and the other for the exit to the room. Other configurations ofseparate entrance/exit, however, can be employed. In any case, as shownin FIG. 3 , the room may be clearly labeled with a pathway for anindividual to follow for the pre-doffing process, specifically such thatthe individual does not backtrack but rather leave the area via the exitversus the entrance. In doing so, recontamination of the individual'sPPE and/or clothing may be prevented. An example of labeling a pathwayis to put arrows and/or lines on a floor of a room or enclosed space tosignify a footpath to follow. Other types of labeling, however, may beused. In some cases, the spot/area at which an individual can besituated for the pre-doffing process may be labeled.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of reflector walls/panels 44forming a subsection of the room in which disinfection apparatus 42 maybe arranged and further includes area 48 in which an individual may besituated to expose their potentially contaminated PPE and/or clothing togermicidal light. Reflector walls/panels 44 are shown partiallysurrounding disinfection apparatus 42 and area 48, particularly leavingopenings for entering and exiting the region. FIG. 4 illustrates anexample of a pre-doffing system having a similar sectioned off area inuse. Other configurations of walls and reflectors, however, may be used.For example, the reflector walls/panels may be connected to doors forentering and exiting the region, and, thus, the reflector walls/panelswith the doors may make up a chamber or enclosed space in of itself. Inany case, the arrangement of the walls or panels may be arranged tosection a region of any size or shape of a room. As such, the walls orpanels need not surround a circular region of a room as shown in FIGS. 3and 4 . In some cases, however, it may be advantageous to arrange thewalls or panels to surround a circular region.

In yet other cases, reflector walls/panels 44 may only be arrangedproximate one of disinfection apparatus 42 and area 48. In particular,reflector walls/panels proximate area 48 may be advantageous fordirecting light to a side of an individual not facing disinfectionapparatus 42, but such coverage may not be desirable in some situations.In addition, reflector walls/panels proximate disinfection apparatus 42may be advantageous when the disinfection apparatus disperses a widespan of germicidal light, particularly to focus more of the light towardthe individual, but it may not be necessarily prudent in allapplications, such as but not limited to when the disinfection apparatusdoes not have a particularly wide dispersal of germicidal light. In yetother cases, room 40 may not include reflector walls or panels tospecifically section off disinfection apparatus 14 and area 16.

In general, any area having a separate entrance and exit can be used todisinfect PPE and/or clothing on an individual by germicidal light. Inthis regard, the room or area in which a pre-doffing disinfectionprocess is performed may be a room or area permanently designated forsuch a process and, thus, the disinfection apparatus, labels and/orreflector walls may be fixed components of the room. In other cases, aroom or area in which the pre-doffing disinfection process is performedmay be a temporary set-up. For example, adjoining patient rooms could bead hoc for the disinfection process. In such cases, it may beadvantageous for the disinfection apparatus, labels, and/or reflectorwalls to be readily portable. For example, optional features for thedisinfection apparatuses may be wheels and/or a handle to affectportability for the apparatuses.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a room having a disinfection apparatusfixed therein for a predoffing process. In particular, FIG. 5 shows room50 with disinfection apparatus 52 fixedly arranged against a wall of theroom and configured to project germicidal light toward target area 58having reflector wall/panel 54 therebehind. Other arrangements ofdisinfection apparatus 52, target area 58 and reflector wall/panel 54may be considered and/or reflector wall/panel 54 may be omitted from theroom. In any case, as further shown in FIG. 5 , room 50 includes doors56, one designated for entrance into the room and the other for the exitto the room. Other configurations of separate entrance/exit, however,can be employed. In any case, as shown in FIG. 5 , room 50 may beclearly labeled with a pathway for an individual to follow for thepre-doffing process, specifically such that the individual does notbacktrack but rather leave the area via the exit versus the entrance.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that this invention is believed to provide systems andmethods which disinfect PPE with germicidal light while it is worn by anindividual. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of variousaspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art inview of this description. For example, the methods and systems providedherein are specifically described in reference to pre-doffing processesfor individuals covered in PPE and/or clothing such that no skin isexposed, but the methods and systems are not necessarily so restricted.In particular, the methods and systems may be used to for pre-doffingprocesses in which PPE and/or clothing only partially cover anindividual. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements andmaterials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein,parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to oneskilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of theinvention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in thefollowing claims. The term “approximately” as used herein refers tovariations of up to +/−5% of the stated number.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a disinfection apparatus comprising one or more germicidal light sources, wherein the disinfection apparatus is configured such that germicidal light generated from the one or more germicidal light sources is projected at least approximately 1 foot from the disinfection apparatus and at least approximately 7 feet from a floor of an area in which the disinfection apparatus is arranged; and a storage medium comprising program instructions executable by a processor for determining one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus based on size information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise a run time of the disinfection apparatus, a position of the disinfection apparatuses within the area, an orientation of a component comprising the disinfection apparatus, one or more germicidal dosing parameters for the disinfection apparatus and/or power supplied to the disinfection apparatus.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the program instructions for determining the one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus are further based on information regarding a target microorganism suspected of contaminating clothing and/or personal protective equipment worn by the individual.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the program instructions for determining the one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus are further based on information regarding a position of the individual relative to the disinfection apparatus.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database, wherein the program instructions are further for retrieving the size information from the database.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors for determining the size information, wherein the program instructions are further for retrieving the size information from the one or sensors.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user input interface, and wherein the program instructions are further for receiving the size information from the user input interface.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more reflective panels exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance, wherein the storage medium further comprises program instructions executable by a processor for determining positions of the one or more reflector panels based on information regarding the individual.
 8. A system, comprising: a disinfection apparatus comprising one or more germicidal light sources; and one or more reflective panels exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance to germicidal light, wherein the one or more reflective panels are arranged to direct light projected from the disinfection apparatus to a target area which is spaced at least approximately 1 foot from the disinfection apparatus and extends at least approximately 7 feet from a floor of a room in the target area; a storage medium comprising program instructions executable by a processor for determining one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus based on size information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more operating parameters comprise a run time of the disinfection apparatus, a position of the disinfection apparatus within the area, an orientation of a component comprising the disinfection apparatus, one or more germicidal dosing parameters for the disinfection apparatus and/or power supplied to the disinfection apparatus.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructions for determining the one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus are further based on information regarding a target microorganism suspected of contaminating clothing and/or personal protective equipment worn by the individual.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the program instructions for determining the one or more operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus are further based on information regarding a position of the individual relative to the disinfection apparatus.
 12. A system, comprising: a disinfection apparatus comprising one or more germicidal light sources; and a storage medium comprising program instructions executable by a processor for determining a position of the disinfection apparatus in a room/area based on size information regarding an individual who is in the presence of the disinfection apparatus or who is scheduled to be in the presence of the disinfection apparatus.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the storage medium further comprises program instructions executable by a processor for determining one or more additional operating parameters of the disinfection apparatus based on information regarding the individual.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more additional operating parameters comprise a run time of the disinfection apparatus, an orientation of a component comprising the disinfection apparatus, one or more germicidal dosing parameters for the disinfection apparatus and/or power supplied to the disinfection apparatus.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions for determining a position of the disinfection apparatus in a room/area are further based on information regarding a target microorganism suspected of contaminating clothing and/or personal protective equipment worn by the individual.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the program instructions for determining a position of the disinfection apparatus in a room/area are further based on information regarding a position of the individual relative to the disinfection apparatus.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the size information is height of the individual.
 18. The system of claim 12, further comprising one or more reflective panels exhibiting greater than approximately 85% reflectance, wherein the storage medium further comprises program instructions executable by a processor for determining positions of the one or more reflector panels based on information regarding the individual. 